Apple tree named ‘AB17’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of apple tree denominated varietally as ‘AB17’ which produces fruit which is larger than that produced by the ‘Kidd&#39;s D-8’ apple tree under the ecological conditions prevailing near Ephrata, Wash. and which is further less acidic and which further produces a flower having a purple color with red-purple highlights.

Genus and species of the new variety: Malus domestica.

Variety denomination: The present variety of apple tree has beendenominated ‘AB17.’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of appletree which has been denominated varietally as ‘AB17’; and morespecifically to an apple tree which is principally characterized as tonovelty by producing fruit which is larger than that produced by the‘Kidd's D-8’ apple tree under the ecological conditions prevailing nearEphrata, Wash., and which is further less acidic, and which furtherproduces a flower having a purple color with red-purple highlights.

ORIGIN AND ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present variety of apple tree ‘AB17’ resulted from an openpollination of a ‘Kidd's D-8’ apple tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,637) in1986. The seedling was established by me in 1987, on its own root, at mytest orchard facility which is located near Central Otago, New Zealand.Following several years of observation of the new selection, budwood wasremoved and then sent to the NRSP-5 quarantine facility at Prosser,Wash. in March of 1997. In May of 1998, virus-free budwood wood wasreleased and second-generation trees were established by budding onto‘M26’ rootstock (unpatented) at a test orchard which is located nearEphrata, Wash. Fruit from these second-generation trees has beenobserved during the recent five cropping seasons and compared with thefruit earlier produced on the original mother tree, which is still inproduction at my test orchard in Central Otago, New Zealand. Botanicaland pomological comparisons of the fruit produced by thesecond-generation trees with that of the original mother tree revealedthat the second-generation grafted trees produced fruit, and had otherbotanical characteristics, which appeared to be identical to thatdisplayed by the original mother tree.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The ‘AB17’ apple tree is characterized principally as to novelty byproducing an attractive bi-colored apple that is somewhat blocky inappearance, but which further has an excellent texture, good sub-acidflavor, and moderate storage life. The present variety matures forharvesting and shipment on or about September 10^(th) under theecological conditions prevailing in the Columbia Basin area of centralWashington State. The present variety is easily distinguishable from thefruit produced by ‘Kidd's D-8’ apple trees (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,637).In relative comparison to ‘Kidd's D-8’ apple trees, the averageharvesting date for the most common ‘Kidd's D-8’ cultivars grown in thesame geographical is August 30^(th). However, the apples of the newvariety are larger than apples produced by the ‘Kidd's D-8’ apple treegrowing at this geographical location. In addition, the apples of thenew variety are less acidic than apples produced by the ‘Kidd's D-8’apple tree. Furthermore, the new variety produces distinctive flowershaving a purple color with red-purple highlights in contrast to thewhite flowers produced by the ‘Kidd's D-8’ variety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are color photographs of various aspects ofthe present plant. The colors are as nearly true as is reasonablypossible in color representations of this type. Due to chemicaldevelopment, processing, and printing, the leaves and fruit of thepresent variety may or may not be accurate when compared to the actualspecimen. For this reason, future color reference should be made to thecolor plates as provided by The Royal Horticultural Society, London, andother general color descriptions as provided for, hereinafter.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of a fruiting branch of the new variety at nearharvest maturity as grown on ‘M26’ rootstock (unpatented).

FIG. 2 is a photograph showing the external appearance of harvest mature‘AB17’ fruit produced from the second-generation trees now growing on‘M26’ rootstock (unpatented).

FIG. 3 is a photograph, which exhibits the displayed fleshcharacteristics of fruit produced by the new variety of apple tree whentaken in both the longitudinal and cross sectional planes.

FIG. 4 is a photograph displaying an open flower of ‘AB17’ of asecond-generation ‘AB17’ apple tree now growing on ‘M26’ rootstock(unpatented).

NOT A COMMERCIAL WARRANTY

The following detailed description has been prepared to solely complywith the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, and does not constitute acommercial warranty (either expressed or implied) that the presentvariety will, in the future, display the botanical, pomological, orother characteristics as set forth, hereinafter. Therefore, thisdisclosure may not be relied upon to support any future legal claimsincluding, but not limited to, breach of warranty of merchantability, orfitness for any particular purpose which is directed, in whole, or inpart, to the present variety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological and botanical details ofthis new and distinct variety of apple tree, the following was observedduring the 2006 growing season under the ecological conditionsprevailing in a test orchard, which is located near Ephrata, Wash. Atthe time of observation the apple tree was eight years old. All majorcolor code designations are by reference to the Royal HorticultureSociety Colour Chart (R.H.S.) (3^(rd) Edition) provided by the RoyalHorticulture Society of Great Britain.

TREE

-   -   -   Size.—Generally — Average as compared to other apple            cultivars. The second-generation trees growing at the            orchard near Ephrata, Wash. were prepared by grafting the            budwood coming from the original mother tree into ‘M26’            rootstock (unpatented) in 1998. These trees now have a            height of about 4.3 meters; and a width of about 2.4 meters.            These trees have an overall shape that is spreading and            open. The shape of the resulting trees is somewhat dependent            upon pruning practices.        -   Vigor.—The present variety is considered moderately vigorous            under the current ecological conditions prevailing near            Ephrata, Wash.        -   Hardiness.—Generally — Considered hardy under the ecological            conditions prevailing in Ephrata, Wash.        -   Productivity.—Generally — Considered medium productive to            productive as compared to other cultivars maturing in the            same season.        -   Regularity of bearing.—Considered regular.

TRUNK

-   -   -   Size.—The average diameter of the trunk when measured at a            distance of about 45 cm. above the surface of the earth is            about 11 cm. The trunk is considered medium stocky for the            variety.        -   Bark texture.—Generally — Considered medium in smoothness.        -   Bark color.—Grey-orange (RHS 164A).        -   Bark lenticels.—Numbers — Considered numerous, and generally            horizontal to the plane.        -   Bark lenticels.—Shape — Variable, round and elongated forms            may be found. Round bark lenticels have a diameter of about            1.5 mm.        -   Elongated bark lenticels.—Length — About 2 mm. to about 6            mm.        -   Elongated bark lenticels.—Width — About 1 mm.        -   Bark lenticels.—Color — Considered grey-white (RHS 156D).

BRANCHES

-   -   -   First-year branches.—Numbers — Considered numerous and            generally having no spur development. Scaffold branches are            considered moderate in number as compared to other common            varieties.        -   Crotch angle.—First-year branches have a crotch angle of            about 45 degrees to about 90 degrees. Scaffold branches have            a crotch angle of about 65 degrees to about 90 degrees.        -   Bark color.—First-year branches have a yellow green color            (RHS 148A). In contrast, scaffold branches have a bark color            considered to be grey-orange (RHS 164A).        -   Bark lenticels.—First-year branches — Few in number and            elongated in shape. The lenticels have a length of typically            about 1 mm. and typically a width of about 0.1 mm. to about            0.3 mm. These bark lenticels are typically vertically            oriented.        -   Bark lenticel color.—First-year wood — The color of the bark            lenticels is considered white. This color is not considered            distinctive of the variety, however.        -   Bark lenticel.—Scaffold branches — The bark lenticels on the            scaffold branches are numerous and elongated in shape. These            bark lenticels have a length dimension of about 3 mm. to            about 5 mm.; and a width dimension of about 1 mm.        -   Bark lenticel color.—Scaffold branches — The color of the            bark lenticels is considered white (RHS 155C).        -   Bark appearance.—Areas exhibiting a scaly bark appearance            can be found on four to six-year-old wood.        -   Branch pubescence.—First-year wood — Present, considered            moderate in amount, and white in color. This color is not            distinctive of the variety, however.        -   Internodes.—Spacing — On first-year wood the average spacing            is about 3.4 cm.

LEAVES

-   -   -   Surface texture.—Considered glabrous and leathery, and            having a light rugose on surface.        -   Pubescence.—Generally — May be considered medium in            abundance on the ventral surface of the leaf.        -   Pubescence color.—Considered white. This color is not            distinctive of the variety, however.        -   Average leaf length.—About 11.6 cm.        -   Average leaf width.—About 7.8 cm.        -   Petiole.—Size — Considered medium long for the variety.        -   Petiole.—Length — About 3.1 cm.        -   Petiole.—Width — As measured at about mid-point along the            petiole, about 1.8 mm. Pubescence is present on the petiole.        -   Leaf form.—Considered oval.        -   Marginal form.—Considered doubly serrate.        -   Leaf tip.—Shape — Considered broadly acute.        -   Leaf stipules.—Generally — Normally present, and having a            length dimension of about 1 to about 6 mm.; and a width            dimension of about 1.3 mm. to about 2.1 mm.        -   Leaf color.—Dorsal surface — Yellow-green (RHS 146A).        -   Leaf color.—Ventral surface — Yellow-green (RHS 146C).

FLOWERS

-   -   -   Time of bloom.—Typically about Apr. 29, 2006 under the            prevailing ecological conditions existing near Ephrata,            Wash.        -   Flower size.—Generally — Considered medium-large for the            variety, and having an average diameter of about 47 mm.        -   Petal size.—Width — About 20.7 mm.        -   Petal size.—Length — About 23.2 mm.        -   Petal color.—Considered purple (RHS 76D); and further having            highlights from the red-purple group (RHS N66C). This is in            stark contrast to the flower produced by the ‘Kidd's D-8’            apple tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,637) which is entirely            white.        -   Stamen.—Length — In a range of about 4 to 8 mm. with an            average length of about 6.8 mm.        -   Stamen.—Color — Considered yellow (RHS 6D).        -   Anthers.—Color — At full maturity, the anthers have a yellow            color (RHS 6D).        -   Anthers.—Length — About 2.7 mm.        -   Pistil length.—About 11.5 mm.        -   Pistil color.—Yellow (RHS 6D).        -   Styles.—Numbers — 5, occasionally 6 may be found.        -   Styles.—Form — The styles are typically fused at the base.            The base is pubescent.        -   Styles.—Length — About 7.3 mm.        -   Styles.—Color — White from the union down. This color is not            distinctive of the variety.        -   Stigma.—Shape — Generally having a rounded top.        -   Sepals.—Form — Curled downwardly and inwardly.        -   Sepals.—Length — About 10.0 mm.        -   Sepal pubescence.—Present and considered white. This color            is not distinctive of the variety.        -   Sepal.—Color — Considered green (RHS 143C); and having            highlighted tips from the orange-red group (RHS N34A).

FRUIT

-   -   -   Maturity when described.—Generally the fruit produced by the            present variety is described as it would be found at full            commercial maturity. In this regard, the fruit of the            present variety was ripe for commercial harvesting and            shipment under the ecological conditions prevailing near            Ephrata, Wash. on Sep. 10, 2006.        -   Fruit size.—Considered medium large for the species, and            having an average diameter of about 8.6 cm.        -   Fruit form.—Considered round conical.        -   Fruit stem.—Generally — Considered short for the species.            The stem has an average length of about 1.8 cm.        -   Stem cavity.—Average width — About 4.0 cm.        -   Stem cavity.—Average depth — About 1.9 cm.        -   Basin cavity.—Average width — About 3.8 cm.        -   Basin cavity.—Average depth — About 1.3 cm.        -   Calyx.—Generally — The eye is generally considered            divergent.        -   Fruit skin.—Texture — Considered glabrous with a light            bloom.        -   Fruit skin appearance.—Bicolor with the overcolor being a            mottled blush. The overcolor of the fruit is from the red            group (RHS 45D). The undercolor of the fruit is from the            green-yellow group (RHS 1D).        -   Lenticels.—Generally — Normally present and moderate in            number. The lenticels have a diameter of about 0.3 mm. to            about 0.5 mm., and a white color (RSH 155D).        -   Core Shape.—Generally — The core shape is flat across the            stem end and decreasing to a point at the apex end thereof.        -   Core.—Position — Considered median and approaching distant.        -   Cell shape.—Considered round and not tufted.        -   Tube.—Shape — Considered cone shaped.        -   Sepals.—Surface texture — Considered downy.        -   Stamen Position.—Generally — Considered median.        -   Axis.—Generally — Axile and closed.        -   Seeds.—Numbers — 1 to 2 seeds per cell are found.        -   Seeds.—Color — Brown (RHS 200B).        -   Seeds.—Shape — Generally considered acute. The seeds have an            average diameter of about 4.1 mm.; and an average length            dimension of about 6.3 mm.        -   Flesh color.—White. This flesh color is not distinctive of            the present variety.        -   Flesh firmness.—Generally — Considered firm yet somewhat            melting.        -   Flesh flavor.—Considered mildly sub-acid and delicate. The            overall quality of the fruit is considered good.        -   Brix.—At full commercial maturity about 15.4.        -   Fruit firmness.—About 15.8 pounds at full commercial            maturity.        -   Starch content.—Based upon a scale of 1-6, and wherein 1 is            considered to have a high starch content, and 6 is            considered to have no starch, the present variety is            considered a 1.8.        -   Fruit aroma.—Considered slightly aromatic and sometimes            wanting.        -   Keeping quality.—The present variety has been kept up to 45            days under typical apple storage conditions with no            deleterious effects noted.        -   Pollination requirements.—The present variety may be            pollinated by any diploid apple tree blooming at about the            same blooming season.        -   Fruit use.—Primarily for fresh eating.        -   Disease and insect resistance.—The present variety is            considered susceptible to all insects and diseases found in            the region of Central Washington.

Although the new variety of apple tree possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailingnear Ephrata, Wash. in the south central portion of Washington State, itshould be understood that variations of the usual magnitude andcharacteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilizing,pruning, pest control, and horticultural management practices are to beexpected.

1. A new and distinct apple tree variety of apple tree ‘AB17’substantially as illustrated and described, and which is characterizedprincipally as to novelty by producing fruit which is larger than thatproduced by the ‘Kidd's D-8’ apple tree, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3637, underthe ecological conditions prevailing near Ephrata, Wash. and which isfurther less acidic and which further produces a flower having a purplecolor with red-purple highlights.